For our latest art project for kids, we’re creating ocean scenes using india ink and tempera paints. This resist art technique ended up being one of our favorites!

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Ink and Tempera Resist Ocean Scenes

We’ve had fish on the brains since we’ve been busily planning Lucy’s upcoming fish themed birthday party. (I just love that she came up with the most random birthday theme!) So I thought it’d be fun to paint some ocean scenes using a material we’ve never tried before~ india ink!

This resist technique ended up being so fun, and I love how the finished pieces turned out! (This post contains affiliate links.)

Materials for the Art Project

• Watercolor paper
• Pencil
• Tempera paint (We used powdered tempera paint.)
• Paint brushes
• India ink
• Watercolors

Directions for Ink and Tempera Resist Ocean Scenes

1. Start by sketching a simple ocean scene on your paper using pencil. We did some fish and seaweed.

2. Use your tempera paint to paint around your fish and seaweed. Let it dry completely. (We made our tempera paint very thick by adding small amounts of water and mixing it into the powder until it was like a thick paste.)

3. Paint your fish and seaweed using the ink. (Be very careful using the ink as it will stain.) Let it dry completely.

4. Once the ink is completely dry, it’s time to rinse off the tempera paint. Hold your painting under some water. Use your fingers to gently rub off the tempera paint. Because the tempera paint is water soluble, it will rinse off in the water (leaving some color behind) while the waterproof india ink will remain in place.

5. Once you’ve finished rinsing off the tempera paint, let your paper dry.

6. Finish your painting by adding some blue watercolor to complete your ocean.

We really enjoyed creating with this art technique! I just love the unique look it gave our ocean silhouette paintings.